While it’s important to grow your social media following to expand your brand reach, it’s even more important to build deep connections with your followers. Doing so will help you build trust and likability, which could turn those followers into future clients or customers of your business. They will recommend you to their friends and family and will support you in your future business endeavors.
Below are four ways to build deeper connections with your social media followers.
4 Ways To Build Deeper Connections With Your Social Media Followers
Use their names
A simple task, but it goes a long way. When replying back to comments on any social platform, use their first name (if it’s obvious) in your response.
LeadPages does a great job of responding back using a follower’s name:
If you scroll through their @replies on Twitter, you’ll see mine is not the only one where they respond with my name. They are almost always referring to a follower’s name when they send out a response tweet.
Taking the little extra time to use their name in your response will make your followers feel appreciated and recognized. Names are important to us personally and almost everyone loves hearing (or reading) their name. People feel cared for if they are called by their name, so take the extra step and use names whenever possible.
Follow your followers
Before we get carried away, I don’t mean follow all of your followers. Choose the top 5-10 follows you have on each of your social media pages. These are the people that are always liking, sharing, and commenting on your posts.
Follow them and then like, share, and comment on their posts. They will feel so appreciated that you took the time to comment and share their status updates, that they will become your super fans, always sharing your content with everyone they know.
A little appreciation goes a long way, and if you are an active member of your community, people will remember that.
Involve your fans
There are many ways you can involve your fans in your business. Perhaps if you sell a product, showcase people wearing or using your product on your social platforms.
The Day Designer brand does an awesome job of involving their fans, often sharing pictures to their Instagram account that their fans shared using the Day Designer planner.
You can also ask them for their advice. Get their take on your next product or service you are thinking of launching. Ask for feedback about a problem you’ve been having. Your fans want you to do your best, and will support you if you just ask.
Give your followers insight into your personal life
Whether you’re a solopreneur or you have a business with employees, everyone loves seeing behind-the-scenes looks at a person’s life or business. Share an image of your family, or a struggle that you’re going through, or even a glimpse into your weekend.
Lara Casey recently posted this photo to her Instagram, which shows that not every moment as a small business owner is glamorous:
People will connect more with your brand and business if they know a little about the person behind the brand. It will make you stand out and be memorable to them, and will also remind them that there is a human behind the business.
Bio: This guest post is from Brittney Lynn who is a social media strategist who helps entrepreneurs and small business owners grow their audience, build engagement and get raving fans on social media. You can check out her blog, sign up for her free email course, or follow her on Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest. 
Couldn’t read it all now? Pin for later:
And be sure to check out my guest post on her blog:
Candy
Using first name is so important. Makes it more personal.
Katie @ Adulting Daily
Awesome tips! Thanks for sharing.
Brandy
I really need to start using my followers names more often – I @ them, but I know that everyone’s most favorite word is their own name, so I need to be more mindful in using their names! Thanks for this reminder 🙂
Christine @ The (mostly) Simple Life
Great tips. I think these are all really great ideas for building a good community.
Cori
Yes yes yes! This is why I try to respond to my readers! I hope to build a relationship with them!
Lauren
Great ideas! I actually love when people address me by name, so I am going to start doing that myself!
Amanda
These are all great tips! I also try to reply within a timely manner to all my blog and Instagram comments.
xx,
Amanda || http://www.fortheloveofglitter.com
CAROL CASSARA
This is good advice. It’s amazing how many bloggers are one-sided about this. I know it is time consuming, but give and you shall receive!
Becky @ Disney in your Day
Great advice! I especially like the bit about showing a little of your personal life. Sometimes I see social media feeds for bloggers that feel so impersonal – they’re all so “professional” looking but almost too much so, like their lives are perfect and I can’t relate.
Dia All The Things I Do
I know I personally love when someone uses my name, especially if it’s someone I look up to/
Dia All The Things I Do
Thanks for stopping by Katie!
Dia All The Things I Do
Haha it’s sad but so true. It feels good to hear it.
Dia All The Things I Do
On certain posts that don’t use comment tools that will alert me of responses, I check back to see if they responded and answered any questions I had and I love when they do.
Dia All The Things I Do
I’m the same way. I like to see who they are not just their post images!
Jessica Bradshaw
These are great! This is something I am working on across all social media channels, so it came at the perfect time!
Brittany Putman
Great tips!
Becki Santiago
Good tips to keep in mind. Also love that you had a guest blogger come to give the tips because that’s also a fabulous way to engage more followers!
Joanna
I think following your followers is huge! It’s so frustrating when you follow someone, only to get unfollowed in return.
Sophia
These are some great tips I want to try to implement. Like using peoples first name.
kp
I love the idea of involving your fans. It always feels good getting notified, or getting to share in something with someone you follow or look up to in a way! Giving an insight to your personal life is a great tip as well. I love getting a “behind the scenes” kind of look into things
Brittney
Totally agree, Candy! 🙂
Brittney
Yay! Glad you enjoyed them, Katie!
Brittney
Just try your best and you’ll do great, Brandy! Every little bit helps 🙂
Brittney
Couldn’t agree more, Christine. How else do you build community on your social platforms?
Brittney
Absolutely Cori! It’s all about building relationships!
Brittney
I know! Don’t we all love hearing (reading? ha) our own name?! Thanks for your comment, Lauren!
Brittney
Oh yeah, great idea Amanda. I try and set aside time during the day just to respond to comments (like now, ha!)
Brittney
Absolutely Carol! Never know what relationship can bud from just responding back to comments 🙂
Brittney
I try and be like the people that I enjoy following and I LOVE seeing their personality. I actually just posted to my Instagram today how my computer epically failed on me today and that I was just keepin’ it real! Thanks for commenting Becky!
Brittney
Yay, I hope they help you Jessica!
Brittney
Thanks Brittany 🙂 Glad you enjoyed them!
Brittney
Definitely agree Becki! Glad you enjoyed the post 🙂
Brittney
Oh my goodness it’s so frustrating to get followed and then unfollowed! I just try and ignore.
Brittney
Hey Sophia! It’s an easy thing to start doing but it can be business changing for sure!
Brittney
Oh me too kp! Behind the scenes are my favorite!
Ashley
That’s a really great tip to use the person’s name when replying! It really does make you feel good!
Suzanne
Love these tips. I always try to use my readers’ first names. I truly want to get to know them!
Leslie
These are great suggestions. I love interacting with my followers, after all – they are why we are still around right? If they didn’t read we Wisner be inspired to write. I pinned this post as well.
cara
Great tips! I definitely love using first names when I talk to my followers. It really makes it feel more personal and I think everyone likes the extra step. 🙂
Brittany Giles
I agree with all of these! Great tips!
Cathy Mini
These are some great tips for building deeper connections. I know I always try to use my followers names when possible.
Jenny
Great post! I definitely need to work on forming deeper connections on social media.
xoxo, Jenny
Aishwarya Shenolikar
Saying their name can go a long way. When someone does that while commenting on my blog, I do feel special! Great post! 🙂
chloe | boxwood avenue
I think using their names is a great tip! I also think commenting back even if you don’t want to follow, on their page with something insightful is a great way to connect.
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
These are all great tips to remember (especially “mention them by name”). Helps to think about how we, ourselves, like to be involved! Thanks for sharing and the reminder!
Laina Turner
Involved fans is a good one. People like interaction.
Jenn
These are great! You’re so right, taking the extra time to thank people by name sure does make them feel special. I’ve wanted to post a few “behind the scenes” photos but just didn’t think it was appropriate. This month I’m really focusing on honing in on my niche. These are great tips to really have people interact. Thanks so much, I’ll be putting some of these things into action!!
Emily
One of my favorite things about blogging and using social media is making new connections :). Thanks for the tips!!
Alicia
Great tips Dia! I definitely agree with taking the time to find out someone’s name. It makes the communication much more personal and helps to build a relationship. Thanks for sharing!
Georgiana
These are such good ideas. It really is about being social, not just accumulating numbers. I think sometimes everyone gets so caught up in the numbers they fail to see the people behind the numbers. Some of the closest relationships I’ve had over the last decade have come from social media connections 😀
The Oracle
Very tried and true Dia. Brilliant post
Paola
Great post, and I agree 100% I love feeling like the person I follow realizes I am there, and so I try to do the same for my followers!
GiGi Eats
Friendships with fellow bloggers is why I do it!!
Liz Mays
I agree that making it personal is a great way to connect a bit more. Your tips are rock solid!
Klipdrifters Travel (@Klipdrifters_)
Good advice! It’s amazing the impact using someones name actually has… it’s the little things we forget! Thank you Dia! 🙂
Klauss
Your article give me confidence that i am moving in the right direction
Dia
I hope you start making great connections!
Dia
Haha I see what you did that 🙂
Kari
These are some great tips! I’ve really enjoyed getting to know my audience through blogging.
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Audrey Kidwell
I love social media and think that it can be very valuable. I have a hard time keeping it all together and connected with people.
Brittney
Isn’t it funny something so small can make you feel so great? Thanks Ashley!
Brittney
Totally agree, Suzanne!
Dia
It’s easier if you just focus on one at a time, build a system then add another. 🙂
Brittney
Absolutely agree Leslie! Thanks for pinning the post, I appreciate it 🙂
Brittney
Totally with you on that Cara. The little things really do matter!
Brittney
Thanks Brittany! Glad they resonated with you 🙂
Brittney
Totally agree Cathy! Thanks for your comment 🙂
Brittney
It can definitely help grow your business! Thanks Jenny!
Brittney
Everyone loves hearing their own name! Thanks Aishwarya 🙂
Brittney
Oh yeah, that is a great idea Chloe!
Brittney
Totally agree, Patricia! We’re all just humans…sometimes it’s hard to remember that! 🙂
Brittney
Couldn’t agree more, Laina!
Brittney
Yay, I’m so happy you enjoyed them, Jenn! I think sharing a few behind the scenes photos every now and then is fine.
Brittney
I agree, Emily! Love “meeting” new people 🙂
Brittney
Right with ya, Alicia! Thanks for your comment!
Brittney
I really try and not focus on the numbers. They can make you go crazy and they don’t really mean anything unless you are building relationships with your followers. Thanks for commenting, Georgiana…I appreciate it!
Brittney
Thank you!
Brittney
Oh yeah, we’re on the same page! It’s a great feeling to be recognized 🙂
Brittney
Yaaaay, love making new friends 🙂
Brittney
Thanks so much Liz! We all love seeing a little bit of everyone’s personalities 🙂
Brittney
Isn’t it crazy? A little bit of effort goes a long way!
Brittney
Yaaay, that’s awesome to hear, Klauss! Best of luck to you!
Brittney
Thanks Kari!
Brittney
Definitely agree with Dia! Spend time over the next month focusing just on ONE platform, and then go from there!
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